Partners
Prison Performing Arts
Prison Performing Arts (PPA) is a 21-year-old, multi-discipline, literacy and performing arts program that serves incarcerated adults and children at St. Louis City Juvenile Detention Center, Hogan Street Regional Youth Center, Northeastern Correctional Center (NECC) in Bowling Green, MO and Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WERDCC) in Vandalia, MO. PPA involves incarcerated youth and adults in the performing arts to inspire intellectual curiosity and personal development. We nurture the discipline, teamwork and communication skills necessary for successful re-entry into society. We encourage members of the larger community to connect personally with program participants, and we offer continuing programs for participants who have been released.
St. Patrick Center
St. Patrick Center is the largest provider of homeless services in Missouri, with more than 20 housing, employment and mental health programs that assist more than 9,000 persons annually who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals and families build permanent, positive change in their lives through safe and affordable housing, sound mental and physical health, and employment and financial stability.
Employment Connection
Employment Connection has over thirty years of experience fulfilling its mission of “assisting persons with limited opportunities to self-sufficiency through employment.” Founded in 1977 after a study by the Young Lawyers Division of the Bar Association of Metropolitan Saint Louis found that employed ex- offenders were 66% less likely to return to incarceration, Employment Connection began to work on lessening recidivism through employment of those leaving prison. In 1980 Employment Connection became a full United Way member agency and expanded its service beyond ex-offenders, assisting recovering substance abusers, the homeless, high school dropouts and non-custodial fathers. In 2008, Employment Connection assisted nearly 1,500 individuals to employment, adding up to over 7 million dollars in wages. Employment Connection also manages two permanent supportive housing programs; Project Homecoming in Saint Louis County, and Project Homecoming-Veterans, and is one of the region’s largest service providers to homeless veterans.